Atrix 500T Extreme 650W Review

Introduction:

Why this power supply? I’ll tell you why. This is my first power supply review and my testing method and more importantly my custom built load, is largely untested. This power supply was purchased for just under £30.00 and is perfect as my first victim. If I toast it, either due to some error on my part, or it not being able to meet its output specification, it won’t upset me too much. This is my spare power supply used for emergencies only and the occasional bench testing of motherboards and components. I would never consider using one of these supplies in a PC build. Atrix is not well known and there is very little information available on the internet regarding their products. It would appear this power supply is a mass-produced low-budget unit from China, with possible links to Colours-it. It may prove to be a fine example of what not to buy for enthusiast/high performance rigs, but let’s not jump to any conclusions until we see how it performs.

Closer Look:

The packaging is fairly basic, but that is to be expected in this price range. None of the box sides contain any information of note and the underneath of the box is completely blank. Why didn't the manufacturer use this space to "sell" the power supply? Notice anything unusual about the power supply picture on the packaging? Yes, that's right, it's upside down ... or is the text the wrong way up? (Could it be a demonstration of how powerful the cooling fan is?!)

The first things you see upon opening the box, are the sleeved cables tucked neatly between the power supply and mains lead box. The power supply itself is protected with a cardboard wrap and the IEC mains lead is tucked to one side in its own cardboard box. I was disappointed not to find an instruction leaflet, whether this was missed at the packing stage, or there just isn’t meant to be one, I don’t know.